Maria Costello Vows to Fight After TT Crash Paralysis
Veteran Isle of Man TT racer Maria Costello MBE has been left paralysed after a crash during practice for the 2026 Sidecar TT.
Maria Costello suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury at level T5/T6 in a crash during practice for the Sidecar class at the 2026 Isle of Man TT. The incident occurred at Brandish during a qualifying session on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, earlier this year. Both Costello and her sidecar passenger, Shaun Parker, sustained multiple serious injuries in the accident they know they were lucky to survive.
Costello's injury and medical situation
Maria Costello, a veteran solo and Sidecar racer, has been left paralysed due to the spinal cord damage. In a social media update, the TT competitor described the injuries as life-changing and the hardest thing she has ever faced. She is now recovering at the specialist Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit, where she requires long-term specialist care.
Parker's injuries and recovery
Shaun Parker, Costello's sidecar passenger, is now at home where he continues to recover and heal. The crash left him with permanent damage and sight loss in one of his eyes. Parker has been providing updates on his own recovery process in recent months, thanking people for their ongoing support whether financial, verbal, or virtual.
Costello's message of determination and gratitude
Maria Costello stated she will reveal further details about her injury recovery in the coming weeks. She vowed to fight to try and get back to riding, asserting she is not stopping here and is going to fight to get to what she loves. Costello said a lot of her future is very unknown, including whether she will ride a bike again or finish that TT lap. She expressed immense gratitude for the public's love, donations, support, and comments, stating it has been incredible and she believes it made a difference in getting her to where she is now. Both she and Parker remain eternally grateful for the support.
Public support and fundraising efforts
The community response following the crash has been significant. A fundraising campaign set up to help with the financial costs of Costello's treatment has reached more than £310,000 in donations. A separate fundraising campaign for Shaun Parker's rehabilitation has generated more than £17,000. Costello plans to show followers her rehabilitation journey at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit in the coming weeks as she continues her recovery.
